❧ A Letter sent from both Houses of Parliament, to all the High-Sheriffs of this Kingdom, concerning the late Propositions for Ireland. Master Sheriff. THe Lords and Commons being deeply sensible of the unspeakable calamities which his majesty's good Subjects of the Kingdom of Ireland do now suffer, by the barbarous cruelties and massacres of the rebels there, and conceiving these printed Propositions herewith sent (being ratified by his majesty's royal assent, and the unanimous approbation of both Houses of Parliament) do undoubtedly tend to the speedy and effectual reducing of those bloody rebels, the propagating of the Protestant Religion, the augmenting of the greatness and the Revenue of the Crown of England, and the establishing of an happy and firm peace for the future in his majesty's three Kingdoms; and all this to be effected (by God's gracious assistance) without the general charge of the Subject, and to the great advantage of those that shall underwrite; have thought fit to require you to publish these printed Propositions and Instructions at this Lent Assizes, to the intent that all his majesty's good people within your county, may take notice of the benefit they may receive by under-writing in due time; And that so many of them then present and willing to subscribe, may give up a Note of their Names, Sums, and dates of their Subscriptions to you, to be entered in the Paperbook mentioned in the printed Instructions, which is forthwith to be sent unto you. And you are further directed hereby, at this Lent Assizes (if they be not past) by the advice and assistance of the Justices of Peace for your County, then present, to appoint certain days and places most convenient for this service; when and where yourself, and the Justices of Peace within each division, will be present, to receive the Names, sums, and times of Subscription, of such of his majesty's well-affected Subjects within your county as shall not have subscribed at this Lent Assizes, their Names Sums, and times of Subscription, to be likewise entered in the Paperbook. And if this Letter come to your hands after the Assizes, then to appoint such times and places as may best speed this service. And further, yourself, and the Justices of Peace, the Ministers of God's Word, and persons of quality within your County, are hereby earnestly desired to show themselves active and exemplary in advancing this great and pious work; 'Tis a service tending so much to the glory of God, the honour and profit of his majesty, and the peace and tranquillity of his three Kingdoms for the future. And you are likewise to inform those that shall underwrite, that the Act of Parliament (which his majesty hath promised to pass▪ for the settling of those two Millions and half of Acres) is already in hand, and that the Lands are to be divided so indifferently by Lot amongst them that underwrite, that no one man, whatsoever, shall have more respect or advantage than another, in the division. And lastly, You are to give a speedy account to the Parliament of your proceedings herein, and of those that do really advance this service. Thus not doubting of your utmost care and diligence herein, we bid you heartily farewell. The Propositions. I That two Millions and an half of those Acres may be assigned, allotted, and divided amongst them after this proportion, viz. For each adventure of 200 li. 1000 Acres in Ulster. 300 li. 1000 Acres in Conaght. 450 li. 1000 Acres in Munster. 600 li. 1000 Acres in Leinster. All according to the English measure, and consisting of Meadow, arable, and profitable Pasture, the Bogs, Woods, and barren mountains being cast in over and above. These two Millions and a half of Acres to be holden in free and common Soccage of the King▪ as of his Castle of Doublin. II. That out of these two Millions and an half of Acres, a constant rent shall be reserved to the crown of England, after this proportion, viz Out of each Acre thereof in Ulster 1d— Conaght 1d— ob Munster 2d— que Leinster. 3d— Whereby His majesty's Revenue out of those Lands will be much improved, besides the advantages that He will have by the coming to his and's of all other the Lands of the Rebels, and their personal estates, without any charge unto his Majesty. III That for the erecting of manors, settling of Waste and Commons, maintaining of Preaching Ministers, creating of Corporations, and regulating of the several Plantations, one or more Commissions be hereafter granted by Authority of Parliament. IV. That moneys for this great occasion may be the more speedily advanced, All the Undertakers in the City of London, and within twenty Miles distrant thereof, shall underwrite their several sums before the twentieth day of March, 1641. and all within sixty miles of London, before the first day of April, 1642, And the rest of the Kingdom before the first day of May, 1642. V. That the several sums to be under-written, shall be paid in at four payments, viz. one fourth part within ten days after such under-writing; and the other three parts at three months, three months, and three months: all to be paid into the Chamber of London. VI. That for the better securing of the said several sums accordingly, every one that doth so underwrite, shall at the time of his subscription pay down the twentieth part of the total sum that shall be by him then under-written. And in case that the residue of his first fourth part be not paid in to such person or persons as shall be appointed to receive the same within the ten days before limited, than such party shall not only forfeit the twentieth part of the sum total formerly deposited, but so much more of his first fourth payment to be added thereunto, as shall make up the one moiety of the said first payment. And if the same person shall fail in any other of the three payments, he shall then forfeit his entire first fourth part, and all the benefit of his subscription; which forfeiture shall accrue to the common benefit of the rest of the undertakers. March 11. London, Printed for Joseph Hunscott. 1641.